Gemotions

The room had a strange tension, a feeling of being wound too tight. The large, empty aquarium stood like a monument to a battle already lost.

"It's just one little fish, Sam," Chloe said, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Sam avoided her gaze, focusing instead on carefully rearranging the books on the shelf. Each book was placed with meticulous precision, a silent statement of control.

He’d spent weeks researching the optimal temperature, the best filtration systems. He’d meticulously planned the placement of the tank, the type of gravel, the species of fish. Now, he wouldn't budge. He wouldn’t be manipulated.

He wouldn't give her the satisfaction. The very thought of it made his stomach clench.